Surge in Child Hepatitis A Cases Prompts Calls for Routine Vaccination in Spain

Spanish health officials and paediatricians are raising alarms over a significant increase in hepatitis A cases among children, particularly in Malaga province and the broader Andalucía region. Data reveals that between 2020 and 2025, hepatitis A cases in children under 15 have surged dramatically — from three to 19 cases in Malaga alone, representing a more than sixfold increase, and from eight to 64 cases across Andalucía, a staggering 700% increase.

Hepatitis A, a contagious liver infection primarily spread via the faecal-oral route through contaminated food or water, tends to present mild symptoms in children but can cause severe illness in adults. Experts attribute the rising cases to low vaccination rates and a decline in natural immunity due to reduced exposure in recent decades.

Currently, hepatitis A vaccination is not part of Spain’s general childhood immunisation schedule, although it is deployed during outbreaks. Only a few regions, such as Catalonia, Ceuta, and Melilla, include routine hepatitis A vaccination. However, with the alarming uptick in cases, paediatricians from the vaccines and immunisations advisory committee of the Spanish Paediatrics Associations (CAV-AEP) advocate for the vaccine’s inclusion for children aged 12 to 15 months and unvaccinated children.

The call to action also stresses the need for improved epidemiological surveillance and stronger preventive measures. With year-on-year cases jumping by 171.4% in Malaga alone from 2024 to 2025, health officials underline the urgency of adapting vaccination policies to curb the ongoing spread among young populations.

The evolving hepatitis A situation in Spain highlights a growing public health challenge, prompting renewed focus on childhood vaccination programs to protect against this contagious disease and prevent further outbreaks.